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April 17 is International Haiku Poetry Day! Let's celebrate by taking the time to appreciate and savor the beauty of haiku poetry. Haiku has been around for centuries, having originated in Japan as a form of poetic expression. It is a type of poetry that consists of three lines with seventeen syllables and captures a moment in time. The beauty of haiku lies in its ability to express profound emotions and images within just a few words – it’s amazing how such simple words can capture so much meaning. So get ready to enjoy this special day and let your creativity flow!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1603</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Origin of Haiku</div><div class='timeline-text'>Haiku originated in Japan during the Edo period as a form of poetic expression.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1892</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Modern Haiku Development</div><div class='timeline-text'>Masaoka Shiki, a Japanese poet, formalized the structure of modern haiku during this period.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1958</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First English Haiku</div><div class='timeline-text'>R.H. Blyth wrote and published the first English haiku in "Haiku: Eastern Culture," helping to popularize the form in the Western world.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2000s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Global Recognition</div><div class='timeline-text'>The form of haiku gained global recognition and was embraced by poets worldwide, beyond its Japanese origin.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2012</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First International Haiku Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Haiku Foundation declared April 17 as International Haiku Poetry Day to celebrate the art of haiku globally.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Write a haiku</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Grab a pen and paper and take some time for yourself. Allow your thoughts to flow as you write your own haiku.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Share a haiku</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Post your favorite haiku on social media or in a blog post. Share the love and spread the joy of poetry.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Read haiku</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Spend some time reading haiku poetry by famous authors. It's a great way to learn more about this type of poetry and appreciate its beauty.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Teach haiku</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Invite some friends over and teach them how to write haiku. It's a great way to bond with friends and learn something new.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Compete in a haiku contest</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Participate in a local haiku competition for the chance to win prizes or recognition. It's also a great way to challenge yourself and test your skills.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Haiku is fun to write</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Writing haikus is an enjoyable and creative way to express yourself. It's simple enough that anyone can do it, yet filled with potential - you can write about anything from everyday observations to deep philosophical thoughts in just three lines of verse!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Haiku teaches you to think simply</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Haiku forces you to distill down complex ideas and emotions into a few simple words. This not only helps hone your writing skills, but also encourages you to look at the world around you more closely and appreciate the small moments in life more deeply.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Haiku is a chance to share</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>We often feel our haikus aren't good enough or don't measure up, so we don't share them. International Haiku Poetry Day provides an opportunity for writers of all levels and backgrounds to unite in appreciation of the art form, as well as exchange experiences and inspire others with their work.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Haikus were traditionally the opening part of a renga poems</h3><p class='facts-content'>Historically, haikus were not independent poems, but the opening part of longer collaborative poems called renga, a Japanese linked verse poetry.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Matsuo Bashō is a revered haiku master</h3><p class='facts-content'>Considered one of the most famous haiku poets of Japan, Matsuo Bashō play a significant role in developing and popularizing the form with his finesse and talent.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Haikus capture the essence of a moment</h3><p class='facts-content'>Haikus are written in present tense and typically evoke images from nature, focusing on details from a single moment in time to bring about a sense of mindfulness and presence.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Haikus originated from Hokku</h3><p class='facts-content'>The term "haiku" was actually coined by Masaoka Shiki in the 19th Century. Prior to that, this form of poetry was known as hokku, the starting verse of a collaborative linked poem or renga.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>They don't always need a syllable count</h3><p class='facts-content'>While traditional Japanese haikus adhere to the 5-7-5 syllable count, this structure is not always maintained in other languages, with some contemporary poets focusing more on the essence of the poem's momentary image or thought.</p></div></div>
International Haiku Poetry Day is celebrated on April 17 every year. In 2024, International Haiku Poetry Day falls on a Wednesday.
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Apr 17
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